Bellator 288 features two world title fights this Friday from Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory photo credit: Tapology.Bellator MMA media.
Vadim Nemkov (15-2) vs Cory Anderson (16-5)
The Bellator MMA million-dollar world Light Heavyweight Grand Prix is set to headline a phenomenal fight card on Showtime. Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov is looking to extend his 9-fight unbeaten streak. Cory Anderson is undefeated within the promotion holding victories over Ryan Badar and Melvin Manhoef. These fighters have met previously in April of this year, with the fight ending prematurely due to a headbutt. In this matchup, Anderson controlled the fight on the ground, landing hard punches on his opponent. When the accidental headbutt occurred, Anderson was easily ahead on the judges’ scorecards and was on his way to dethroning the champion. It will be interesting to see if Nemkov has made the necessary adjustments to this training camp to stop takedown attempts of Anderson. For Anderson, he desperately wants to show MMA fans that his still one of the best 205-pounders in the world. With a million dollars and so much on the line this fight could very well be the fight of the night.
Patricky Freire (24-10) vs Usman Nurmagomedov (15-0)
In the Co-main event of Bellator 288 current 155-pound champion, Patricky Freire takes on undefeated Russian phenom Usman Nurmagomedov. Freire is coming off a victory in November over Peter Queally, while Nurmagomedov is 4-0 inside the Bellator cage. Nurmagomedov is one of the hottest prospects in sports history training under his cousin the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. Usman Trains at the well-respected American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. This will be a huge step up in competition for Nurmagomedov who has yet to fight a top 5 fighter in Bellator. Nurmagomedov’s talent is undeniable, but he could be biting off more than he can chew in this matchup. Patricky Freire has fought some of the best 155-pounders in the world including Michael Chandler, Josh Thomson, and Tofiq Musayev.
Bellator 288 Prelims
The Bellator Prelims will be live on YouTube and feature some potentially entertaining fights. Undefeated Contender Roman Feraldo looks to make his return in a Welterweight fight against Leven Chokheli (10-2). Also, a fun Heavyweight fight should excite the Chicago crowd between Tyrell Fortune and Daniel James. The first prelims start at 5pm, and fans should get there early because Jiu-Jitsu ace Lucas Brennan (7-0) is back after his incredible submission in June. Lucas’s Father Chris Brennan is his cornerman and trainer and was a well-accomplished fighter himself in Pride.
Bellator 288 takes place this Friday from 5-10 Pm on ShowTime.
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